Oligoryzomys

Oligoryzomys longicaudatus

The dwarf rice rats ( Oligoryzomys ) are a living in Central and South America rodent genus of the group of the New world. They comprise 18 species.

Features

Dwarf rice rats are relatives of rice rats and resemble these, but are smaller. They reach a body length 7-11 centimeters, the tail is 9-16 centimeters very long. The weight is 9 to 40 grams. Their fur is yellowish - brown or brownish at the top, the bottom is light gray. The snout is pointed and the ears are oval.

Distribution and habitat

These rodents are native to Central and South America, their range extends from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego. They prefer areas with dense undergrowth and occur in forests and bush country, but also in gardens and plantations.

Way of life

Dwarf rice rats are nocturnal. They usually stay on the ground, but can climb well. During the day, they retreat into self-made grass nests. Outside the breeding season they live solitary. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits and insects.

Dwarf rice rats and humans

These rodents sometimes penetrate into plantations or granary and are considered pests. Most species are not endangered according to IUCN. The species O. victus that was endemic to the Caribbean island of St. Vincent is known only through a copy found in 1897 and probably extinct.

The types

We distinguish 18 species:

• Oligoryzomys andinus inhabited the Andean regions of Peru and Bolivia.
• Oligoryzomys arenalis is known only from the coastal plains of Peru.
• Oligoryzomys Brendae inhabited the north-western Argentina.
• Oligoryzomys chacoensis occurs in arid regions of southeast Bolivia to northern Argentina.
• Oligoryzomys delticola lives in Ostargentinien, Uruguay and southern Brazil.
• Oligoryzomys destructor inhabited the Andean region of southern Colombia to northern Argentina.
• Oligoryzomys eliurus occurs in the central and eastern Brazil.
• Oligoryzomys flavescens is spread from Southeast Brazil with Paraguay and Uruguay into middle Argentina.
• Oligoryzomys fornesi lives in northeast Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil.
• Oligoryzomys fulvescens is distributed from Mexico to northern Brazil.
• Oligoryzomys griseolus inhabited mountainous areas in eastern Colombia and western Venezuela.
• Oligoryzomys longicaudatus is widespread in Chile and Argentina.
• Oligoryzomys magellanicus occurs in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
• Oligoryzomys Microtis inhabited the Amazon basin.
• Oligoryzomys nigripes lives in Paraguay, southern Brazil and northern Argentina.
• Oligoryzomys stramineus inhabited central and eastern Brazil.
• Oligoryzomys vegetus occurs in Costa Rica and Panama.
• Oligoryzomys victus of the Caribbean island of St. Vincent is known only through a copy and probably extinct.